An unregistered tattooist who ran his business from his “dirty and unhygienic bedroom” has been prosecuted by his local council for putting members of the public at risk.

Environmental health officers from Hull City Council were alerted to the activities of 30-year-old Simon Webb based on information relating to an exchange between him and a potential client on the social networking site Facebook.

Upon investigation, the EHOs determined that Mr Webb was using his own page on the site to promote his work, as well as another page dedicated to tattooing – which contained a large number of images of tattoos he had undertaken on himself and members of the public – to gauge the interest of potential clients.

Because of their concerns about the risk to public health the EHOs obtained a warrant to enter Mr Webb’s home in Weymouth Close in Hull, accompanied by Humberside Police. There, they found large quantities of tattooing paraphernalia in his bedroom, which they described as being in a “dirty and unhygienic condition”.

According to the Council, the practices being used by Mr Webb for tattooing were “significantly below the acceptable standard, particularly for cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation of equipment”. The EHOs found that he had been using a baby-bottle steriliser, which is not suitable for equipment such as tattoo guns. He used his bathroom for cleaning equipment, and clients were tattooed while sitting on his bed.

Mr Webb was paid for his work, albeit significantly less than a registered tattooist – this, said the Council, would have attracted vulnerable members of the public, such as young people and those on a low income. He had never received any training, or worked under the supervision of a competent tattooist.

The Council also revealed that it was evident from Mr Webb’s responses when questioned that he had very limited knowledge of the health risks associated with tattooing, which include transmission of viruses such as Hepatitis C and B, and HIV, if the right precautions are not taken.

Consequently, the Council took action against Mr Webb, who pleaded guilty before Hull magistrates on 27 January to breaching section 3(2) of the HSWA 1974 by putting, as a self-employed person, the health and safety of members of the public at risk. He was fined £500 and a further £500 in costs. He also admitted a second charge, under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, for which no separate penalty was imposed.

Said Hull City Council: “There is anecdotal evidence to indicate that there is an increasing number of people who are doing tattooing from home unlawfully. They are not only breaking the law but putting other people’s health at risk.

“Hull City Council strongly urges anybody who is considering getting a tattoo to use a tattoist who is registered with the local authority.”